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We've been fielding guest props for all pre-season on the bench - lucky we have got Schonert and Waller back, although they haven't played a game so far.
Your team is a much different one to what I expected, will always be a close one between us - look out for Hammond on the wing, as been on fire so far.

I love team announcement day always brings about plenty debate. Can't comment much on selection as I've not seen any pre season but can understand peoples disappointment with quite a few of the more box office players not being in and no mention of a few.

That said it's first game of the season , not one of that 15 are bad players and it's first game on the season and games against Wuss are often exciting and nip and tuck affairs!

That's right.None of the 23 are bad players, but there has been such a buzz of anticipation of a team mixing the new with the existing and we find ourselves back where we were with the new game changers missing and not even Goneva and Sinoti. I haven't written us off for tomorrow by any means but my sense of excitement for a new season has gone already.

It is disappointing that a lot of the expected first team backs are out but we still have enough to win the game plus some of those players know they have a chance to prove themselves before others return.

I look at the teams and think both sides are playing solid teams with plenty of impact to come on from the bench. We have the likes of Latu, Socino, Mavinga, Cavubati who will bring physicality and Stuart who will increase tempo at scrum half.

It's a shame to have so many influential players missing, but we've been talking about the depth we now have. Therefore, we can't now complain about the players missing, although understandably it's not ideal. But that's where we are. Mind you I can see some last minute changes to the team, it's happened before.

Meanwhile, let's back the players on the pitch. We have enough to put away that Worcester team especially with being the home side.
If Hodgson is struggling there is Willis and then there is Matavese who's also a handy flyhalf, if needed.
C'mon Falcons!!

This is a good example where the blanket silence of injury information becomes a problem.

At least if we knew who was injured we'd not be so questioning over certain selections.

PS the dour crowd comment....There has been huge optimism following a great summer of transfers. Now most of us don't expect to see all of them in, in the first few weeks etc...however the involvement or one or two would be nice.

Add in the fact the back 3 is solid and dependable when young Adam Radwan etc has been tearing up pitches all summer raises a few questions.

However I will be shouting my lungs out for them regardless and I think we should be able to start the season off with a workmanlike victory without much panache...

As a lot have already said, there are not many positives to take from that announced squad.

I have a feeling this will be a close tight game now, whereas before, I thought we might win by 8-10 but look comfortable. I hope I'm proven wrong and we put 20+ points on them at full time.

A lot of questions need answering and I'm still hopeful. It shows that we can be disappointed with the squad we now have.

It seems quite a few of the squad have played very little in pre-season and are starting/squad – Tait, Cavubati, Green, J Welsh.

• Fitness questions on Matavesi.
• The form from ore-season of Cooper (throwing poor) and Agulla who was poor at Edinburgh game.
• Why is JPS not in the side?
• Why are the standouts in pre-season youngsters nowhere near the squad, Sowery (had 2 very good games in preseason), Glen Young, Radwan, Uzokwe?

alnwickfalconAs a lot have already said, there are not many positives to take from that announced squad.
I have a feeling this will be a close tight game now, whereas before, I thought we might win by 8-10 but look comfortable. I hope I'm proven wrong and we put 20+ points on them at full time.

A lot of questions need answering and I'm still hopeful. It shows that we can be disappointed with the squad we now have.

It seems quite a few of the squad have played very little in pre-season and are starting/squad – Tait, Cavubati, Green, J Welsh.

• Fitness questions on Matavesi.
• The form from ore-season of Cooper (throwing poor) and Agulla who was

poor at Edinburgh game.
• Why is JPS not in the side?
• Why are the standouts in pre-season youngsters nowhere near the squad, Sowery (had 2 very good games in preseason), Glen Young, Radwan, Uzokwe?

• Happy to see Hammersley back and to see how Chick and Witty go.

JPS is in the side. It is now a 23 man game with 15 starters plus 8 finishers.

WAgree that it is significantly weaker than we hoped to see give the influx of talent and existing players. I guess the question to be asked is, does Worcester at home justify playing and risking injury to your star players? Is this game seen as winnable without them leaving them fresh for the more testing trips? Should you always field a full strength team or a team that should be able to do just enough?
Obviously as a fan, if I pay my money I want to see the star players on the pitch. Equally Worcester are a quality team with something to prove and a desire not to be in a relegation battle this season. That said, they are not Bath, or Saracens or Leicester or Wasps

I understand not communicating who's missing the games ahead but it's nice to let fans know why others haven't been picked at the squad announcement. That way, the weeks training has been done and the opposition are none the wiser.

Anyone know where i can get radio coverage for tonights game?
Radio newcastle have some sort of festival they are covering in hull, for some reason, and the bbc feed of the match coverage doesn't seem to be working.....

Running RugbyAnyone know where i can get radio coverage for tonights game?
Radio newcastle have some sort of festival they are covering in hull, for some reason, and the bbc feed of the match coverage doesn't seem to be working.....

Totally agree Steve , I saw him at Melrose last week and he was very moderate however last night he had what is probably his best game for Falcons. I was really disappointed when I saw the team announcement backline however they proved most of us wrong and put their bodies on the line for a great result. Matavesi at 12 despite his size is less of a block busting centre than Socino but has lovely hands and I thought did very well last night and looks like being a real asset to the squad.

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